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Police Seek Additional Victims Of Man Who Broke Into Woman's Home And Sexually Assaulted Her

Police are seeking additional victims of a man who broke into a home in Northridge and sexually assaulted a woman before stealing her car and fleeing from the area. The incident occurred on June 30 at around 10 p.m., when the suspect allegedly entered the home, located in the 19000 block of Astor Place, after finding it "was unsecured," Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. They say that the suspect, identified as Cedric Tinsley, entered the home and sexually assaulted the woman. "He then fled the location with the victim's property in her vehicle," the statement said. The next day, at around 2:30 p.m., police pulled the Tinsley over in the stolen vehicle in the 2700 block fo East Los Angeles Street in Simi Valley. He was arrested and booked on several charges including forced opal copulation, false imprisonment and grand theft. He is being held on $1.2 million bail. Due to the nature of the crime, police believe that there are additional victims and that Tinsley is "responsible for additional, unreported sexual assaults." They are asking anyone with more information to contact them at (818) 832-0609.

CBS 2

After Teen’s Leg Severed In Hit-and-Run, Officials Work To Improve Pedestrian Safety In Boyle Heights

Los Angeles has a reputation as a dangerous place for pedestrians, but local officials are working to change that in a neighborhood known as a hotspot for car-versus-pedestrian accidents. In Boyle Heights on Thursday, City Councilmember Kevin de León and officials from the L.A. Bureau of Engineering will unveil improvements to intersections along Olympic Boulevard. One of the targeted intersections is Olympic and Orme Avenue, where a Los Angeles Times study of collisions between 2002 and 2013 found 10 pedestrian incidents, including one that was fatal. At nearby Olympic and Soto Street, there were 15 collisions, including one fatality. That’s not to say the danger is limited to those specific intersections, however. Joshua Mora, an eighth grader at Hollenbeck Middle School, lost his leg in a collision at Orme and Whittier Boulevard in March. He was in a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a motorcyclist who then fled the scene, police said. Even before Mora’s injury, officials have been working to make Boyle Heights safer for pedestrians.

KTLA 5

Party House In Studio City Causes LAPD To Break Out Riot Gear, Helicopter As Neighbors Become Fed Up

A problematic party house in Studio City caused the LAPD to break out their riot gear and deploy a helicopter last week, as neighbors say the rental property has gotten way out of hand. Police say nearly 500 people went to the well-known party house on June 25. Video taken by fed up neighbors shows the crowd dancing in front of police and not obeying commands. The party got so out of hand that the LAPD had to disperse the crowd in a scene that startled neighbors, who say they think the party was promoted on social media. "Basically, the whole neighborhood was shut down and it was very frightening to see 20 police in riot gear in our quiet neighborhood," said Tony Lucente. Another neighbor, Tina, said she spoke with some of the partygoers, who were not too sympathetic to the neighbors' complaints. "One of 'em said, 'Hey look, we're young were just trying to have fun,' and people said, 'Oh, are you sleepy, would you like to be sleeping?' And, yes, I'd like to be sleeping, could you please go home this is not appropriate," she said.

ABC 7

3 Crosses Burned Outside Sylmar Church

Arson investigators responded Thursday morning to a report of burned crosses outside a church in Sylmar. Video from NewsChopper4 showed one of three crosses outside Sylmar Christian Fellowship Church on the ground. Authorities at the scene said it appears an accelerant was used to start the fire at about 5 a.m. outside the church in the 1300 block of Polk Street. More details were not immediately available. The House of Worship task force, including LAPD, ATF, and the FBI, will begin an investigation. As with any case involving a house of worship, the case is being investigated as a hate crime. NBCLA has reached out to the church, ATF and the FBI for comment.

NBC 4

CHP Says 68 People Died In California Crashes During Holiday Weekend

A total of 68 people were killed in crashes throughout California during the Independence Day maximum enforcement period, which began at 6:01 p.m. Friday and concluded at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol said Thursday. Nearly half of the vehicle occupants who died within CHP jurisdiction were not wearing a seat belt. The total numbers for Riverside County were not immediately available. Officers made 1,224 arrests for driving under the influence and issued 9,700 citations for speeding, according to the CHP. “The results of this MEP are concerning and reinforce the need for responsible behavior behind the wheel,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “All of these deaths were preventable, and the loved ones they leave behind will be forever impacted.” The next MEP was scheduled for Labor Day weekend.

MyNewsLA

Over $109 Million Of Illegal Cannabis Seized By California Authorities

Over $109 million in illegal cannabis was seized by California authorities during a statewide crackdown. The operation saw a 104 percent increase in illegal cannabis products seized during the Q2 period of April through June 2023, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. In total, authorities seized: 120,970 illegal cannabis plants, 66,315 pounds of cannabis flower, $223,809 in cash, 92 search warrants were served, and 19 firearms were confiscated. The total retail value of the seized cannabis amounts to $109,277,688.94, officials said. From January through March 2023, officials seized $52 million in unlicensed cannabis and cannabis products. The Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce was created in 2022 and includes more than two dozen local, state, and federal partners working together to “disrupt the illegal cannabis market.” “This well-orchestrated task force continues to reach new heights on shutting down a variety of illicit operations that range from dispensaries to indoor grow houses to outdoor cultivations sites among other facets in the illegal supply chain,” said David Bess, Chief of Enforcement for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

KTLA 5

U.S. Virgin Islands Police Detective Shot, Killed By Suspect Out On Bail

Flags across the territory are flying at half-mast Wednesday in honor of 42-year-old V.I. Police Detective Delberth I. Phipps Jr., who was gunned down in the line of duty on St. Thomas Tuesday morning. The suspect in the shooting, Richardson Dangleben Jr., 51, was already awaiting trial for the Feb. 24 murder of Keith Jennings, and had been released from jail in March after a judge reduced his bail. The latest case began at around 7:53 a.m. Tuesday, when 911 dispatchers received a report of a man, later identified as Dangleben, wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a gun in the "Jah Yard" area of Hospital Ground, according to police spokesman Glen Dratte. "Upon officers' arrival, the suspect fired upon them with a high-powered assault rifle. Responding officers immediately engaged the suspect," according to the statement from police. Police said Dangleben "was wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with an assault rifle, handgun, and several hundred rounds of ammunition."

The Virgin Islands Daily News, St. Thomas

North Carolina Trooper Shot While Helping Stranded Driver

A state trooper stopped to help a stranded motorist on Interstate 26 in western North Carolina, and the driver responded by pulling a gun and shooting the trooper, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety. The trooper survived and returned fire, killing the driver, the department said in a news release. It happened at 7:35 p.m. Monday, July 3, outside Asheville, near the NC 191 exit for the Blue Ridge Parkway, officials said. The area is about 130 miles northwest of Charlotte. Investigators say Trooper Jeffrey L. Dunlap spotted “a stranded motorist on I-26 westbound near the 33-mile marker” and pulled over to help. “The motorist produced a firearm and fired, striking (him) in the chest,” officials said. “A round was stopped by the member’s ballistic vest and he was able to return fire, striking the suspect. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.” The driver was identified as Wesley Scott Taylor, 57, of Leicester, N.C., officials said.

Charlotte Observer

New York Police K-9 Stabbed 12 Times During Burglary Arrest

A K-9 with the Troy Police Department was stabbed 12 times by a burglary suspect as officers were attempting to arrest him, the department said. Approximately before 4 a.m. Wednesday morning, Troy police were called to the area of Donegal Avenue in the Emerald Greens neighborhood where multiple residents reported an unknown suspect attempting to gain entry to their residences. Officers were on the scene in less than two minutes and began searching for the suspect. Troy police K-9 Norbi and his handler were one of the first arriving units and they joined the search for the suspect, later identified as Curtis Knockwood, 25, of Troy. K-9 Norbi began tracking for Knockwood and led the officers to a wooded area near Donegal Avenue. K-9 Norbi and his handler located Knockwood in the wooded area and attempted to take him into custody. While doing so, police said Knockwood began to stab K-9 Norbi with a knife multiple times. K-9 Norbi's handler, along with other officers on the scene, engaged with Knockwood in an attempt to apprehend the suspect and aid K-9 Norbi.

The Record, Troy, N.Y.

Man Loses Part Of Hand Lighting Fireworks In Koreatown

A man in his 20s reportedly lost a part of his hand while lighting fireworks in Koreatown on the 4th of July. Firefighters and paramedics with Los Angeles Fire Department were dispatched to the 2600 block of South Catalina Street a little before 11:30 p.m. after learning of the injury. While circumstances surrounding the incident are not immediately known, LAFD Public Information Officer Nicholas Prange said that the victim suffered a "reported extremity injury." They did not provide further information. 

CBS 2

LAFD Service Calls Up By Hundreds This 4th Of July, Illegal Fireworks Suspected

The approach to LAX and the skies below were peppered with fireworks on the 4th of July. It was sight to behold, but each colorful explosion was very likely illegal. Only on FOX 11, Raul Ramirez shared his video of a palm tree on fire that singed the roof of an apartment building. "Everybody was on their phone trying to either call or record," Ramirez said. His father, Raul Sr., jumped into action. The father and son run a mobile detailing business. "To be able to have the hoses and pressure washer and the tons and tons of water required to stand there all the time," Ramirez said. Only the tip of the palm tree was still smoldering when Los Angeles firefighters finally arrived to this Canoga Park neighborhood. Ramirez claims he dreads July 4th and believes the number of illegal fireworks shows is going up. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that the calls for service went up by 200 over a typical day. 

FOX 11

Firefighters Extinguish Commercial Building Fire In South Los Angeles

Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department extinguished a fire in a commercial building in South Los Angeles Thursday. The fire was reported around 5:50 a.m. on Thursday in a commercial building located at 8304 S. Broadway St. Within 20 minutes of arrival, firefighters suppressed the fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

MyNewsLA

Imelda Padilla Installed As Temporary City Council Member

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to install community advocate Imelda Padilla as a temporary voting member of the council following her win last week in the Council District 6 election. Padilla beat rival Marisa Alcaraz in the race for the San Fernando Valley seat, which has been vacant since former council President Nury Martinez resigned last year. Results released Friday show Padilla has nearly 56% of the vote to Alcaraz’s 44%. County officials said 446 outstanding vote-by-mail ballots are left to be processed, as well as any mail-in ballots that come in by Wednesday. Election results will be certified Friday. Council members wanted to install Padilla before their three-week break began this week. Section 409(b) of the City Charter states that the council “may appoint a person to hold the office temporarily until the vacancy election is conducted and the election results are certified and declared.”

Los Angeles Times

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 9,200 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.